CIFRI Awards
The Holy River Narmada, often referred as the "Lifeline of Madhya Pradesh," fosters a vibrant and diverse fishery providing livelihoods to countless fishers and quality nutrition to the local populace. The river's distinctive ecosystem, marked by its continuous flow, varied habitats, and nutrient-dense waters, establishes it as an optimal site for fish diversity and home to commercially important fish species such as Indian major carps (Labeo catla, L. rohita), Cirrhinus mrigala), mahseer (Tor tor), and catfishes.
A scientific team from ICAR-CIFRI, comprised of Dr. S.P. Kamble, Dr. D. Bhakta, Dr. Canciyal Johnson, Mr. Mitesh H. Ramteke, and Mr. S. Kumar, conducted a comprehensive survey on fish catch, diversity and fishers’ socioeconomics of the Narmada River from her origin at Amarkantak to end at Ambetha in December 2024. Dominant fish species in the fishers’ catch were identified as Otolithoides pama, Harpadon nehereus, Rhinomugil corsula, and Macrobrachium rosenbergii in lower saline water stretch, whereas Tor tor, Salmostoma bacaila, Cirrhinus reba, Labeo calbasu, Labeo rohita, Labeo catla, Cirrhinus mrigala, Channa marulius, Clupisoma garua, Systomus sarana, Labeo dyocheilus, Labeo boggut, Labeo boga, Mastacembelus armatus, Oreochromis niloticus, Sperata seenghala, S. aor, and Cyprinus carpio were dominant in the freshwater zones. Oreochromis niloticus, Pangasianodon hypophthalmus, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix, and Cyprinus carpio were identified as invasive species in the upper and middle sections of the river.
